Wosti Weekender

Evening gentlemen. Just having a 'pot still' whiskey and a smoke after puttering in the shop some today.
Working on another weekend kit for a pair of George Wostenholm IXL's in one piece sapelle scales that I put together last year when I was just starting to experiment making one piece scales.
Attachment 208686
I chose Mahogany as the stock for this one as it matched the sapelle grain and colour quite closely and will also go well with the leather I selected.
Attachment 208687Attachment 208688
Rough milled my razor cradles, and decided to make the entire assembly out of mahogany, and tweak my design a little bit from the first one. I turned the ends as one piece and then cut that down the middle for a nicer radius for the leather at either end on the finished strop. I also turned a more traditional handle shape for the tensioner.
Attachment 208689Attachment 208690
I have the cradles completed now, depth wise and the ends all ready for threading and assembly. Then still need to build the balsa cover and apply the finish, and the finishing touches.
Building this one, and another for a fellow member simultaneously out of the same stock. Awaiting some scans of the razors destined for the other one before I get to far on it, so I figured I'd work out some more kinks to the design on this set. I'm liking the wood grain of this mahogany, even though it's a bit fluffy to work with. Almost killed my saw blade it packed up so quick, and the turning was a bitey experience that had me resharpening my gouges to get the job done properly.
Not complaining, just appreciating the different 'flesh' each wood provides. Once sanded, the wood really showed it's almost luminous face grain.
Cheers gents, need another couple fingers of hooch.
:chapeau

That's looking really good. Would a cut our for a finger to fish out the blade at the spine be useful or is it unnecessary?

Wow, looking good Mike. Can't wait to see the finished product. Nothing like a fresh edge for cutting any wood!

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Originally Posted by Hart

That's looking really good. Would a cut our for a finger to fish out the blade at the spine be useful or is it unnecessary?

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The Bison, which was the inspiration for the design, uses a cut out, but I opted to remove more material under the wedge end, creating a 'step'. I just push down on the wedge end and the tail end pops up for removal. Less wood surface area removal, and easier for me to wing it to get it just right.
I then clad the bottom of the cradles in felt and it's smooth and soft.
Turned out well on the Palmer set I made last week so I'm staying with that design modification.
Works like this;
Attachment 208733
Just keeps the box lines cleaner, to me.
I'm also going to fill in the engravings again for contrast on this one. Maybe try silver leaf as opposed to gold leaf on this set.
Purchased some gorgeous, but quite thick 9 oz latigo leather for the strop on this one, and that extra thickness of leather is why I decided to turn a 1 1/2" dia rod to cut for the ends. Smooth radius for some smooth leather.
Depending on 'honey do's' from the missez today I may get it finished up, or at least the finish applied today.
Appreciate the suggestions gents.
Cheers, and happy Sunday.

I've been astonished at how much you are able to get done. Seems as though you have new projects turning out all the time!
Been working on my 7 day, and though there are some details that are very time consuming, and though my tools are minimal, and wife is forever needing help.. I can't help but to think that I need to learn to be more efficient, just keeping the workspace clean is a chore! Lol
Right on man! Looking good. And I'll be watching closely to perhaps learn some of your tricks... gonna need to send in a spy and smuggle the pics back on micro-film..
"Your mission, should you so choose to accept, is to find out all you can about MikeB52 trade secrets..."

Thanks Mike, appreciate the appearance of productivity. ;)
I like to keep busy, idle hands are the devil's workshop my Grandad used to say.
And keeping the shop clean is a never ending task!!
I settle for clean enough to be safe, dirty enough to be comfortable in there.
I've been involved in production maintenance for the last few decades, and I guess being able to stack up jobs and utilize wait times on various steps has become part of my internal wiring.
Regarding your 7 day build, looking forward to seeing some pics.
Only having done the 1 I found that once the scale thickness was established, keeping the 7 sets of scales stacked as one as long as possible in the build really helped keep the symmetry of the set tight.
Even with traditional 2 pc scales the same approach would have worked I believe.
Thanks again, set the threaded inserts last night so this set is moving along and will hopefully be ready for use and posting this weekend.
Cheers.

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Thanks Mike, appreciate the appearance of productivity. ;)
I like to keep busy, idle hands are the devil's workshop my Grandad used to say.

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I like that expression...'the devil's workshop.' Perhaps there could be a sub-thread under The Workshop.
The Devil's Workshop
All of the things you could be working on...
I'd have a lot of posts there

It looks superb. Mike! :nj
Being a hammer and screwdriver guy, I am astonished how some can do such nice woodworking.
It shall turn up a treat! Looking forward to seeing the end result.

Thanks guys.
Tom, I have no doubt you would take to the wood like the mighty beaver! ;)
I get it, everything in Texas has thorns right? Only roses and cacti down there, hehe.

Got the threads set and ends installed tonight. Need to work the leather and balsa still.
But moving the ball, as it were..
Cheers.

Got a bit more done on the weekend. Love how the red just comes alive once the finish is applied. Will match the sapelle as well as I hoped I think. And the silver leaf worked out ok. Think I prefer the gold to work with, but the silver is an option I can use, depending on the project.
Attachment 209367
Final coats of varathane and assembly before Wednesday I hope.
Off to the cottage for a week next week ;) so want this done so I have a clean bench while away.
Maybe get a travel brush turned before Friday, have an idea what I want to make now.
Cheers gents.

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Tom, I have no doubt you would take to the wood like the mighty beaver! ;)

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Me? I would be like the 'Angry Beavers' ! Nuts and bolts, that's me! :p

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Got a bit more done on the weekend. Love how the red just comes alive once the finish is applied. Will match the sapelle as well as I hoped I think. And the silver leaf worked out ok. Think I prefer the gold to work with, but the silver is an option I can use, depending on the project.

Final coats of varathane and assembly before Wednesday I hope.
Off to the cottage for a week next week ;) so want this done so I have a clean bench while away.
Maybe get a travel brush turned before Friday, have an idea what I want to make now.
Cheers gents.

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Looks great! :cool:

Attachment 209373
I would be the dark brown one I think..
Loved that show..

Ya, Norb I think! Miss that one. Pure genius! :rofl2:

Bit more work done, cut the leather to fit and test fit everything between coats of varathane.
Attachment 209525Attachment 209526Attachment 209527
The extra thickness of the latigo over normal 6 oz cowhide is sure apparent at the joints.
May do a bit of sanding on the backside to bring it down some. Lovely draw to this hide though..
Look forward to wrapping it up over the next few nights.
Attachment 209528
Decided to make a matching pen, just for the heck of it.. Always handy being able to write a letter in the shave den.
;)

Nice Mike, nice. From what I see this is going to be a sweet loom strop. I have no doubt you'll have a great sense of accomplishment after this fantastic project. Can't wait to see it at the next meet.

Looking good! That is surely a trick pen! ;)

Thanks gents. The Deer Hunter pen kits are quite popular, and pricey to buy the works for. Tried to make one with antler instead of sapelle, but the antler doesn't turn well at all, must be my speed and tips maybe? Friend asked for one for his hunting partner. He trades me goodies in kind so was happy to make one for him.
Going to google 'turning bone and horn' for some insights.

The IXL Kit was left taut overnight to stretch out the latigo some before I trim the threaded rod for final fit. Looking at the pic, I may add a stainless strip across the leather seam for aesthetics as well. Looks a little 'bunchy' at the 3/8th rod.

Cheers.

Finished this IXL kit off last night.
Attachment 209882Attachment 209883Attachment 209884Attachment 209885Attachment 209886Attachment 209887
Ended up slightly thicker profile, but basically 2"x13"balsa surface with .25 diamond spray again. 2"x15" latigo strop. 2"x1.5"x16.5" total size.
Slightly heavier, due in part to the heavier hide but turned out ok and it feels more solid when tensioned up. The silver leaf for the engravings worked out well and to my eye compliments the wood. Lifting steps under the wedges work well, and the shade of felt suits the wood as well.
Attachment 209888
Between these two kits and the travel brush I turned the other night, I am all set for the Cottage next week.
Cheers and thanks for looking.

That is really very nice work Mike! What a great set!!!

Wow, that's fantastic Mike, I'm very jealous. It will definitely make a fantastic travel set.

Wow! That turned out GREAT, Mike! Wonderful Job! :nj

Excellent work add usual! You are building quite a collection of creations to take pride in.

What a tremendous travel kit. Well done on the quality work.

Now that's seriously brilliant Mike. Fabulous job.

Thanks gents. Appreciate the feedback. A nod goes out to Bison for their single razor strop kit that got me thinking about this design in the first place. I'd love to have one of theirs, with matching razor in my collection one day as it is CNC cut, and it shows.
;)
This design's tough, will protect the blades within, and is travel ready. Entire thing slips into a wool sock to keep it clean and scratch protected as well.

I've enjoyed watching this progress Mike - really good end result.

Superb and original piece of work Mike.

Thanks for the kind words Rob and Jamie. Means a lot from gents on here.

Just getting home from a week away and this kit performed perfectly. Shaving up north is a pleasure, not prerequisite, and as such I took my time. No mirror, all by touch, and with lots of lather. Stache needs a levelleng now but overall, no gashes, no leeches,, hehe.

Time to start work on a weekend kit for a fellow member this week.
The latigo leather was worth the extra $ over the first one I made out of 6oz natural tanned cowhide and will be my 'go to' material from now on for these and single kits as I make them.
Cheers all and have a great Sunday Gents. Seize the day as August is almost over.

Fantastic work Mike, I'm Rilly Jellus. :)

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Thanks gents. Appreciate the feedback. A nod goes out to Bison for their single razor strop kit that got me thinking about this design in the first place. I'd love to have one of theirs, with matching razor in my collection one day as it is CNC cut, and it shows.
;)
This design's tough, will protect the blades within, and is travel ready. Entire thing slips into a wool sock to keep it clean and scratch protected as well.

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Holy close to death shave Batman! How in the hell did you shave without a mirror? I'd have to have an ambulance waiting outside! Right on man. :D

Somehow after the first post, I failed to follow the work to the end.
What a wonderful project Mike! :tu

This is amazing. you do beautiful work sir!

Wow Mike, I'm glad to see this thread brought back up.
You sir never cease to amaze me! You have such talent and make true works of art.
Your craftsmanship is top of the line as well.

Oh, and I miss the Angry Beavers as well